Messenia (Greek: Περιφερειακή ενότητα Μεσσηνίας, Μεσσηνία) is a regional unit in the
southwestern part of the Peloponnese, one of 13 regions into which Greece has
been divided. The capital and the biggest city of Messenia in either case has
been the city of Kalamata.

Messenia borders on Elis to the north, Arcadia to the
northeast, and Laconia to the southeast. The Ionian Sea lies to the west, and
the Gulf of Messenia to the south. The most important mountain ranges are the
Taygetus in the east, the Kyparissia mountains in the northwest and the
Lykodimo in the southwest. The main rivers are the Neda in the north and the
Pamisos in central Messenia.

Off the south coast of the southwesternmost point of
Messenia lie the Messenian Oinousses islands. The largest of these are
Sapientza, Schiza and Venetiko. The small island Sphacteria closes off the bay
of Pylos. All these islands are virtually uninhabited.

Climate may vary, in the lowlands, temperatures are a bit
warmer than Athens. Snow is not common during winter months except for the
mountains especially the Taygetus. Rain and clouds are common inland.

The economy of Messenia is primarily based on agricultural
production although in recent years efforts are being made toward the
development of activities in other sectors such as tourism.

Main agricultural products are olive oil, Kalamata table
olives, figs, and black raisins (sultanas). The variety of agricultural
products is complemented by a small amount of stockbreeding products (beef,
milk, sfela cheese, honey) and fish from the Gulf of Messenia.

There are many small- and medium-size firms involved in
the processing and standardization of agricultural products as well as a number
of enterprises devoted to wood processing, furniture manufacturing, and metal
construction. The Karelia tobacco company is based in Kalamata.

The tourist development observed is mainly attributable to
the promotion of important archaeological sites, such as the Palace of Nestor,
Ancient Messene, and the Venetian castles of Pylos, Koroni, Methoni and
Kalamata, as well as to the beauty of the landscape. Another key factor for
Messenia's economy is Costa Navarino, comprising several eco-friendly luxury
resorts and golf courses, which is Greece’s biggest tourist development.

The earliest inhabitants of Messenia were thought by the
Greeks of the Classical period to have been 'Pelasgians', as in other regions
of Greece. Supposedly, the Hellenic tribes had then arrived in Greece, and
Messenia was settled by Aeolian Greeks. The Homeric poems suggest that during
the Mycenaean period, eastern Messenia was under the rule of Menelaus of
Sparta, while the western coast is under the Neleids of Pylos; after Menelaus’s
death the Neleids pushed the frontier as far as Taygetus. The Mycenaean city of
Pylos has been identified with the modern site of Ano Englianos, in western
Messenia. Excavations at Pylos and Nichoria have revealed for Messenia's late
Bronze Age (14th century BC) a bureaucratic, agricultural kingdom ruled by the
wanax at Pylos. The Messenians spoke Mycenaean Greek, and worshipped the Greek
gods at local shrines like that at Sphagianes. During the legendary Dorian
invasion of the Peloponnese during the Greek Dark ages, Messenia was supposedly
invaded by Dorians under Cresphontes, arriving from Arcadia. They took as their
capital Stenyclarus in the northern plain, and then extended, first their
suzerainty, and then their rule over the whole district.

Archaic
period

During the Archaic period the relative wealth of Messenia
in fertile soil and favourable climate attracted the neighbouring Spartans. The
first Messenian War broke out—as a result of the murder of the Spartan king
Teleclus by the Messenians, it was claimed, which, in spite of the heroism of
King Euphaes and his successor Aristodemus ended in the subjection of Messenia
by Sparta (ca. 720 BC). Two generations later the Messenians revolted and under
the leadership of Aristomenes kept the Spartans at bay for some seventeen years
(685 BC—668 BC). However, the stronghold of Ira (Eira) finally fell after a
siege of eleven years. As the object of the Spartans was to increase the number
of lots of land for their citizens, many of the conquered Messenians (those who
did not manage to leave the area) were reduced to the condition of Helots. The
Spartan poet Tyrtaeus describes how the Messenians endured the insolence of the
masters:

As asses worn by loads intolerable,

So Them did stress of cruel force compel,

Of all the fruits the well-tilled land affords,

The moiety to bear to their proud lords.

— Bury and
Meiggs, "A History of Greece," 4th Ed

Classical
period

The Messenians revolted again in 464 BC, after a severe
earthquake destroyed Sparta and caused great loss of life. The insurgents
defended themselves for some years on the rock-citadel of Ithome, as they had
done in the first Messenian War. The Spartans were unable to expel them from
their stronghold on Mt. Ithome and so agreed to an Athenian mediated truce
whereby the Messenians left the Peloponnese and were settled by the Athenians
at Naupactus in the territory of Ozalian Locris.

Pre-Hellenistic
to Hellenistic period

After the decisive Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC, when the
Spartans suffered a severe defeat at the hands of Thebes, Epaminondas invaded
Messenia, and liberated it from Spartan rule. Epaminondas invited the exiled
Messenians scattered in Italy, Sicily, Africa and elsewhere to return to their
country. The city of Messene was founded in 369 BC to be the capital of the
country and, like Megalopolis in Arcadia, became a powerful check on Sparta.
Other towns, as well, were founded or rebuilt at this time, though a great part
of the land still remained very sparsely populated. Although quite independent,
Messenia never became really powerful or able to stand without external
support. After the fall of the Theban power, to which it had owed its
foundation, it became an ally of Philip II of Macedon and avoided further
conflict in the 4th century BC. Subsequently the Messenians joined with the
Achaean League, and Messenian troops fought along with the Achaeans and
Antigonus Doson at Sellasia in 222 BC. Philip V sent Demetrius of Pharos to
seize Messene, but the attempt failed and cost the life of Demetrius. Soon
afterwards the Spartan tyrant Nabis succeeded in taking the city, but was
forced to retire by the timely arrival of Philopoemen and the Megalopolitans. A
war afterwards broke out with the Achaean League, during which Philopoemen was
captured and put to death by the Messenians (183 BC), but Lycortas took the
city in the following year, and it again joined the Achaean League, though much
weakened by the loss of Abia, Thuria and Pharae, which broke loose from it and
entered the League as independent members.

Roman
period

In 146 BC, the Messenians, together with the other states
of Greece, were brought directly under Roman sway. For centuries there had been
a dispute between Messenia and Sparta about the possession of the Ager
Dentheliales on the western slope of Taygetus: after various decisions by
Philip II of Macedon, Antigonus, Lucius Mummius, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony,
Augustus Caesar and others, the question was settled in 25 by Tiberius and the
Senate in favour of the Messenians.

Medieval
period

In the Middle Ages, Messenia shared the fortunes of the
rest of the Peloponnese. Striking reminders of these conflicts are afforded by
the extant ruins of the medieval strongholds of Kalamata, Coron (anc. Asine,
mod. Korone), Modon (Methone) and Pylos. Messenia was a part of the Byzantine
Empire.

Ottoman
and Venetian period

Much of Messenia fell into the hands of the Ottoman Turks,
a part of the area remained with the Venetian Republic. In 1534 a group of
families, known as the 'Coroni', settled in Piana degli Albanesi in Sicily.
They were Arvanites and Greeks from Koroni.

During the 1680s, the whole of Messenia was regained by
the Venetian Republic in the Morean War, and formed part of the "Kingdom
of the Morea" until recovered by the Ottomans in 1715. The Mani Peninsula,
a part of modern Messenia, was autonomous from Turkish rule due to the fact
that it had no harbors.

Modern
period

Messenia became part of independent Greece as a result of
the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832). The famous naval Battle of Navarino
took place near present Pylos in 1827, and was a decisive victory for Greece
and its allies.

Paleokastro, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, PeloponneseVoidokilia Beach is a popular beach in Messinia in the Mediterranean area. In the shape of the Greek letter omega (Ω), its sand forms a semicircular strip of dunes. On the land-facing side of the strip of dunes is Gialova Lagoon,...View More

What to see in Messenia, Peloponnese

Overview

Map

Archaeological Site of Archea Messene

Archea Messini, Messini, Messenia, PeloponneseArchaeological Site of Ancient Messene contains the ruins of the large classical city-state of Messene refounded by Epaminondas in 369 BC, after the battle of Leuctra and the first Theban invasion of the Peloponnese. Epaminondas invited...View More

Skliros, Oichalia, Messenia, PeloponneseThe temple was dedicated to Apollo Epikourios ("Apollo the helper"). It was designed by Iktinos, architect at Athens of the Parthenon. The ancient writer Pausanias praises the temple as eclipsing all others but the temple of Athena...View More

Paleokastro, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, PeloponneseThe Old Navarino castle (Greek: Παλαιό Ναυαρίνο) is a 13th-century Frankish fortress near Pylos, Greece. It is one of two castles guarding the strategic bay on which it sits; the other is the Ottoman-built New Navarino...View More

Kalamata, Kalamata, Messenia, PeloponneseKalamata’s cathedral of the Ypapanti (Presentation of the Lord to the Temple) nestles beneath the 14th-century Frankish castle. The foundation stone was laid on January 25, 1860, and the building was consecrated on August 19, 1873....View More

Kalamata, Kalamata, Messenia, PeloponneseThe Victoria G. Karelias Collection of Greek traditional costumes was created, initially as a private collection, by the founding member and long-standing president of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Kalamata, V. Karelias. The fruit...View More

Kalamata, Kalamata, Messenia, PeloponneseThe Archaeological Museum of Messenia is located in Kalamata, the capital of Messenia in southern Greece. The museum is built on the site of the city's old market hall. Among else its collection includes the finds which were formerly...View More

What to do in Messenia, Peloponnese

Overview

Map

Kalamata International Dance Festival

Kalamata, Kalamata, Messenia, PeloponneseWe would like to welcome you once again to the great celebration of dance and music in the beautiful Peloponnesian city of Kalamata! For ten days, from 13 to 22 July 2018, leading Greek and international artists will be showing their...View More

Romanos, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, Peloponnese
Enjoy driving in a high standard race track where experienced personnel can also provide lessons for all levels and ages. Equipped with brand new CRG karts, a state of the art timekeeping system, a lighting system for evening hours...View More

Navarino Speed Experience Park

Beach Break Lagouvardos

Lagkouvardos Filiatra, Trifillia, Messenia, PeloponneseThe shore Breaking waves are ideal for your first surfing experience. The seafloor surface is covered with a protective thick layer of sand and there is plenty of space to find your own area in the water. From private to group lessons...View More

Beach Break Lagouvardos

The Dunes Golf Course

Romanos, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, PeloponneseFormer Ryder Cup Captain and US Masters Champion Bernhard Langer, in association with European Golf Design, is the architect of the first 18-hole signature designed golf course in Greece.
Much of the contouring mirrors the rugged...View More

The Dunes Golf Course

The Bay Golf Course

Pylos, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, PeloponneseJust a few minutes from Navarino Dunes, at the Navarino Bay development, the Bay Course offers an alternative set of challenges and choices in a quite different setting. Designed by leading American architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.,...View More

Gialova, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, PeloponneseTo Spitiko is a Mediterranean restaurant with an emphasis on the Cypriot and Greek cuisine, in which the Greek Cypriot flavors “mix” through … homemade, delicious recipes and local ingredients. In our restaurant, located in Gialova...View More

Kalamata, Kalamata, Messenia, PeloponneseThe restaurant was founded in 1924 by "Uncle John", who had returned from the US where he worked as an immigrant. The restaurant is still family owned and recently renovated by the grandson of "Uncle John" George Athanasopoulos,...View More

Kalamata, Kalamata, Messenia, PeloponneseOur store opened its doors for the first time in October 2010, in the Historic Centre of Kalamata, while in 2013 it moved to the Kalamata Railway Station Square. All these years, our primary concern is to offer our customers authentic...View More

Pylos, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, PeloponneseThe "Cuckoo" - o Koukos is a traditional tavern - restaurant, located in the beautiful Pylos and waiting to welcome you with kindness and offer you unique flavors. The beautiful and tastefully decorated in earthy colors and excellent...View More

Gialova, Pylos Nestor, Messenia, PeloponneseLocated in Gialova on the beautiful Navarino Bay in the south western Peloponnese, the restaurant Elia was opened in 2008 by Dimitri and Zoe with a lot of love and hard work. Since that day our aim has always been to serve fantastic...View More